John l



(No Model.) 1 L, REED.

VGATE LATGH.V l 150.268.533. Patented Dec. .5, Il'882.

n. Pains mammography wur. "gum D c UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN L. REED, OF OANAJOHARIE, NFA/V YORK.

GATE-LATCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of `Illetters Patent No. 268,533, dated December 5, 188,

Application tiled February 14, 1881. Renewed October 14, 1882. (No model.)

a new and useful Improvementin Grate-LatchesI of which the following is a specification.`

The object of one part of my invention is to provide each of two `independently-operatingy catcheswith a crooked and weighted-handled4 spindle having an arm by which the'said catches will be operated in opposite directions, and the catches themselves, when moved back by the keeper, will be made to operate the weighted ends of the said spindles so as to cause them to automatically throw said catches forward as soon as the keeper is passed; and the object of another part of my invention is to produce an-inexpensive latching device in which two independentlyoperating catches and crooked weighted-handled spindles will be securel y held from displacement and be adapted to be operated both by the keeper of the latch and by the operator in a positive manner for latching a gate or for opening the same. VI attain these objects by means of the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in whichj Figure l is a perspective view of a half portion of the latch. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the latch with its cover removed, and illustrating the opera-tin g parts of the same. Fig.

3 is a plan view of the same, showing the mode of operation of its parts; and Fig. 4 is a crosssectional elevation of the same.

The' same letters of reference indicate like parts throughoutthe several views.

In the drawings, A f sents the case. B isthe cover of the same, secured to said case by bolt G, and holding the parts within the case from displacement. Made with caseAare theattaching-iiangesA, by which the device is secured to the gate. Placed within said case and guided by proper ways are the sliding catches D and D', each made with beveled end or inclined striking end surfaces d. The bodies of said catches work in said case, and are each provided with a central perforation, c, the ends of which are made conical, as shown in Fig. It,v

er,'as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. A central pro` jection, a, cast solid with case A separates the said catches to a distance about equal to the width of the keeper. In the upper edge of the ends of the case are made half-bearingsf, and in the upper surface of the central projection is made a half-bearing, f', in line with bearings f. Made in the lower side of cover B and corresponding with the said half-bearingsff are halfhcaringsj`2. Operatingspindles E E work in bearings fff2, and are capable of being turned. The outer ends of said spindles terminate in crooked weighted handles F F', as shown. Each of said spindles is` provided with a short arm, a, which arms are made to have their line of extension relatively at an opposite angle of direction to the extension of the crooked weighted handles F F-that is to say, the arms n n are inclined forward and down ward and the handles are inclined rearward and downward, as shown by full lines n and dotted lines F F' in Fig. 4, so that the weighted handle and itsleverage will operate to hold the spindles E E in position so as to carry the arms n forward, as shown inA Figs.2 and 4, which arms enter the centralvperforations o c of the catches and hold the same in its forward position, as shown in the sametigures, and in catch D', Fig..3. A keeper, Gr, is also provided, which keeper is made with a width about equal to the distance between the catches, and with any convenient length of vertical extension selected, and is provided with attaching-flanges Gr! for attachment to the gate-post P by screws or bolts.

The manner in which the several parts of the latch operate is as follows: The catches are held in place and guided in their movements by the ways provided in the case, and are 1 adapted to be moved forward, as shown by catch D' in Fig. 3, or back within the case, as shown by catch D in the same figure. When the said catches are projected forward the arm n of the spindles E E will be carried forward andthe weighted handlesFF will react against said arms to cause them to hold the catches projected forward. When thegate is swung to the post in direction of arrow l for latching the same lwith the keeper on the post the inclined striking end surface d of catch D will strike the keeper G and be crowded backward from dotted lines to full lines, as shown in Fig.

TOC

3, so as to pass said keeper, and when being crowded back the said catch will carry the arm u of spindle E backward, as shown in the same figure, and cause the said spindle to be partly rotated and lift the crooked weighted handle F to near a horizontal position, and as soonl as said catch has fully passed keeper G the weighted handle Fwill by its own gravity fall and rotate the spindle in a reverse direction, so as to carry arm n forward and thereby shoot the catch D forward from position of full lines to that of dotted lines in Fig. 3, and while this is being done the catch D projecting forward will strike the opposite side of keeper G and check the farther swing ofthe gate past the keeper. When the gate is closed by swinging it in direction of arrow 2 in Fig. 3 the same operations will be had by catch D' and its coacting devices. When the operator opens the gate he will simply turn the crooked weighted handle, F, or F', which may be toward him, upward, when the catch D or D', will be carried backward and free from engagement with the keeper by the arm n. rlhe operator will then push forward on the handle or gate and swing it open before him.

By my improvements the latch is cheaply produced,- as all its parts are preferably made of' cast-iron and require no springs, and the operator is enabled to operate the gate from either side to open or close the same, and the gate may be effectually closed by being swung in either direction, and held shut without the least liability ofthe latch swinging past its keeper, and an operator is enabled, when his hands are full or otherwise engaged, to readily operate the handles to open the gate or close the gate with his arm.

Havingdescribed inyinven tion, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a gate-latch, the combination, with the independently-operating catches D D', provided with central recesses, e, of the independently-rotating spindles E and E', each having an arm, a, and a crooked weighted handle, and the keeper G, all for operation with said catches, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with case A, provided with half-bearings ff', and cover B, having half-bearings f2, of catches D D', handles E E', provided with arms nu, engaging with said catches, and the keeper G, allconstructed and arranged substantially as described, for operation as set forth.

JOHN L. REED. Witnesses:

S. L. GARLoeK, GEO. H. REED. 

